Two hurt in I-293/93 crash; holiday traffic backed up

November 11. 2013 10:26PMMANCHESTER — Two people were injured Monday when a pickup veered off Interstate 293 and rolled several times, crushing the cab and trapping the driver and passenger while causing a major traffic backup.

New Hampshire State Police said the accident happened around 4:40 p.m. on the curve where I-293 branches off to northbound I-93. The driver apparently fell asleep and the Ford Ranger left the road, police said.

Manchester Fire Department District Chief Mike Gamache said the pickup came to rest upside-down. Firefighters used specialized hydraulic equipment to pry apart the wreckage and get the two people to safety.

State Police identified the occupants as James Karoutsos, 48, and Jennifer Robitaille, 48, both of Manchester.

Gamache said Karoutsos was able to walk around once he was free. Robitaille was more seriously injured, but also able to talk to rescuers before she was taken to Elliot Hospital, Gamache said.

The on-ramp was limited to one lane during the rescue and caused traffic to back up for about 90 minutes, police said.